Delhi to Manhattan
Having spent some time traveling from Delhi to Manhattan some interesting things popped up:
The first part of the trip was spent traveling for 8 days with THE MISSING PEACE project.
The group included JOHN SALLEY and GUSTAVO SANTAOLALLA and our search for HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA.
An extraordinary adventure – thank you so much to everyone involved for such an enriching experience – particularly Darlene Markovich and Rebekah Alperin.
First stop the Tibetan hunger strikers attempting to draw attention to CHINA’S OPPRESSION of Tibetan people, customs and culture.
However the movements of that journey will be seen in the forthcoming documentary THE MISSING PEACE.
So that will have to wait.
What we have here, in no particular order or relevance, are some of the things that popped up during those first 8 days, followed by other things that popped up en route to New York via LADAKH, MUMBAI, and England.
So:
Musical recommendations - festivals around the world:
Gnawa World music festival in Essaouira – this appears to be part of something more than just musical.
For the music and the journey – FESTIVAL AU DESERT
A taste of Columbian – TOTO LA MOMPOSINA
And Argentinian – anything SANTOALALLA, CAFÉ DE LOS MAESTROS to MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
From New York punk to HHDL, the man taking the photographs – VERN EVANS
And his headphones:
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST
Anything RY COODER and his musical collaborations from ‘round the world.
From TALKING TIMBUKTU to MAMBO SINUENDO
And whilst visiting the OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST, who can resist THE JAM
And those Old Abingdonians covering a SMITHS classic...
Asking questions:
ZEITGEIST the movie…..
And how difficult is it to be quiet ? - VIPASSANA
HENRY MILLER’S quote regarding the great source that is.
Overheard in Bombay:
Religion is based on belief not knowledge.
People are less offended if you question their knowledge – because it’s knowledge.
But if you question their BELIEF - challenge their belief system - then they take offense.
And often time wish to eradicate you!
Is it not all the same thing? – a belief in something greater, whatever the energy IS that creates a flower or you – it just IS – whatever name you wish to call it.
Because of whatever part of the world you’re from.
And whatever Symbolism you wish to use to pass on the notion:
And for more ways of acknowledging a faith in something greater – WORLD RELIGIONS:
The BBC Radio 4 show BEYOND BELIEF always has something interesting on the topic.
BUDDHIST symbolism is beautifully expressed in THANGKA PAINTINGS.
DHARAMSALA – The home of the TIBETAN GOVERNMENT IN EXILE.
And displaced Tibetan children: TIBETAN CHILDREN'S VILLAGE.
The life of a monk at the NAMGYAL MONASTERY IN INDIA.
THE CHINA DAILY’S VIEW on HHDL and his leadership.
THE GOLDEN TEMPLE - AMRITSAR - ‘Ambrosial pools of nectar’.
To the SILK ROAD IN LADAKH:
In search of a SNOW LEOPARD so amazingly captured by the PLANET EARTH team.
(Go to the behind the scenes section for Scottish cameraman’s thoughts on waiting for the elusive cat.)
It’s a humbling experience being in the HIMALAYAS.
Strange to think our activities have had such an effect on one of the grandest, most illustrious places on earth.
Those effects are there to see: LADAKH GLACIAL MELT and RECORD TEMPERATURES.
With regard to energy requirements vs environmental fallout here’s an interesting article from the New York Times looking at TATA’s approach to expanding energy requirements:
Is all of this bad? If you’re one of many climate scientists foreseeing calamity, yes. If you’re a village kid in rural India looking for a light to read by, no.
For thoughts on how ‘Big Business’ is tackling the prospect of climate change read the rest of this article from The Guardian:
As the world's population climbs from 6.8 billion today to nine billion by mid-century, energy demand will rise by around 50 per cent, much of it from rapidly emerging powers such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, competitive demands for scarce resources with a growing global population and rising temperatures will all require investment to manage the risks. Our obligation to countries unable to manage these impacts will create further demands.
So with increasing numbers requiring more and more energy it seems the order of the day is to reduce energy requirements.
And for us to realize very SIMPLE ways to do that.
For example:
Needlessly leaving all those red and yellow lights on at night….
With regard to exchanging ideas on everyday energy reduction please go to the new SPITBALL page.
Looking for one liner signatures for emails - along the lines of:
THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE PRINTING THIS EMAIL.
I wonder how much energy has been saved by that one line floating around in the ether….
Please, all suggestions welcome.
Spitball!
With the oil price rising the race is on in the renewable energy sector:
Though it is widely acknowledged using land to grow biofuels product is CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASING FOOD PRICES, Mr Branson and Boeing are LOOKING INTO OTHER BIOMASS POSSIBILITIES - Pond scum!
Mr Obama finds himself embroiled in the biofuels debate whilst tackling VOTES VS THE ENVIRONMENT….
His overall views on US ENERGY REQUIREMENTS - as they presently stand…
The debate goes on: Wind power to drive GREEN REVOLUTION.
Of course in the eyes of certain parties it’s a good thing the ARCTIC IS MELTING because it makes it easier to drill for the ‘undiscovered’ reserves...
The ARCTIC HAS 90 BILLION BARRELS OF OIL
Excellent - we’re good for another 6 months!
And in the meantime another ICE SHELF DROPS OFF.
And first hand views from the PEOPLE OF GREENLAND.
As the ubiquitous TATA company of India pops up again.
Interesting thoughts from the New York Times regarding the RELEASE OF THE WORLDS CHEAPEST CAR….
Having spent 4 weeks looking at plumes of black smoke coming out of the back of TATA trucks, and oil runoff sliding down the streets one can only wonder if the true objective of the TATA conglomerate is to make as much money as possible without giving a jot about the ecological, sociological and environmental consequences to India and its people.
However:
Taken from the TATA Code of conduct
Clause: 8
Health, safety and environment
A Tata company shall strive to provide a safe, healthy, clean and ergonomic working environment for its people. It shall prevent the wasteful use of natural resources and be committed to improving the environment, particularly with regard to the emission of greenhouse gases, and shall endeavour to offset the effect of climate change in all spheres of its activities.
A Tata company, in the process of production and sale of its products and services, shall strive for economic, social and environmental sustainability
Ready when you are...
One has to understand TATA is everywhere in India, from transport trucks to electrical goods.
If this company really did stand by Clause 8 it could make a HUGE difference instead of just becoming intent upon being part of the great Indian economic push…
Time for BILL MCDONOUGH to step in:
The NEXT INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
Something else doesn’t seem quite right: IN FERTILE INDIA.
And after PRESIDENT BUSH BLAMES INDIA FOR THE RISING FOOD PRICES all is forgiven with a NUCLEAR HANDSHAKE…
Of course there are plenty of good things happening in India too.
Usually courtesy of AAMIR KHAN... His directorial debut: TAARE ZAMEEN PAR.
And congratulations to IMRAN KHAN for JAANE TU YA JAANE NA.
And for fine films and fine cheese – MANZOOR KHAN.
Moving on:
Ever considered how CHINA produces its goods so cheaply?
THE CHINA PRICE: This book exposes a system of unregistered factories that cut corners on safety and working conditions to meet multinational companies’ demands for ever-lower prices.
Enjoy the Olympics.
Taking place in this: LINGERING POLLUTION
And as Nick Cohen in The Observer says: DON’T BE FOOLED. CHINA HASN’T CHANGED
Plastic population:
The UN Environment Programme estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter floating in every square mile of ocean on Earth.
As a reaction to this Christine Jeavens is attempting A MONTH WITHOUT PLASTIC...
Good luck!
And returning to a link from Big Universe, Little Planet, Lots of People – The ocean life that STARVES AFTER EATING PLASTIC – not eating, thinking it is ‘full’
Horrible amounts of plastic litter the mountains of Ladakh.
You’d think that people who traveled to be in such beautiful places would want to keep it so...
Thank you to people like Jigment and Gilson of WILD EAST ADVENTURES.
Their voluntary clean ups of the mountain treks of Ladakh help keep the place clean after some tourists choose to trash the place before returning home.
Thank you for the guidance gentlemen.
And thank you Jamyang and Saira at MIDDLEPATH Travels.
And finally:
Congratulations to Dave Gorman on his attempt to travel across America using only mom & pop – UNCHAINED.
Who can resist RICHARD BURTON narrating the 1963 bbc recording of UNDER MILK WOOD?
Or CAULIFLOWER CHEESE - The great British staple.
And KELLY LAPLANTE’S ECO LIVING
Congratulations to the new England cricket captain - the one and only KP OFF TO A WINNING START.
Thank you for everything Mr Vaughn.
And who can forget the DISAPPEARING ART OF THE MIX TAPE.
And last but by no means least - Henry - KEEPING IT UP AT THE GRAND OLD AGE OF 111.
So thank you to everyone who raised a topic or two, and please as ever feel free to contribute anything uplifting or illuminating to the SHARE YOUR RESOURCES page.
If you would like to see the pictures taken on this trip please visit the photos page: DELHI TO MANHATTAN
And any suggestions for SPITBALL??
Thank you!
Between five and ten percent of energy in developed countries is used at night - electrical equipment on standby...